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Analysing the EU Ai Act’s Treatment of Algorithmic Discrimination
No full textIn diesem Beitrag wird untersucht, wie der Europäische Rechtsakt zur künstlichen Intelligenz algorithmische Diskriminierung behandelt, und argumentiert, dass sein technischer Fokus auf Voreingenommenheit und nicht auf Diskriminierung ihn als unterstützenden Rahmen für das bestehende Antidiskriminierungsrecht der Union positioniert. Durch eine systematische Überprüfung des Gesetzes, die sich auf die für die Nichtdiskriminierung relevanten Bestimmungen konzentriert, entschlüsselt die Analyse die Strategie des Gesetzes, die sich auf vier wichtige regulatorische Bewegungen stützt, die Berufung auf bestehende Nichtdiskriminierungsrahmen, einen Schwerpunkt auf die Erkennung technischer Verzerrungen und Datenqualitätskriterien, die Einführung einer Ausnahme von der DSGVO für die Verarbeitung besonderer Kategorien von Daten, die für die Korrektur von Verzerrungen unerlässlich sind, und die Auferlegung von Transparenz- und Erklärbarkeitspflichten für Hochrisiko-KI-Systeme. Anhand dieser Bewegungen bewertet das Papier die Wirksamkeit des Gesetzes bei der Bewältigung der komplexen und sich entwickelnden Herausforderungen algorithmischer Diskriminierung. Die zentrale Erkenntnis ist, dass das Vertrauen des Rechtsakts auf Voreingenommenheit, technische Anforderungen und Verfahren zwar notwendig ist, um KI-spezifische Diskriminierungsquellen zu minimieren, seine Rolle jedoch von Natur aus auf die Unterstützung der breiteren Architektur des EU-Antidiskriminierungsrechts beschränkt, anstatt als primärer Governance-Mechanismus für Diskriminierung zu dienen.This paper examines the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act’s treatment of algorithmic discrimination, arguing that its structure and technical focus on bias, rather than discrimination, positions it as a supporting framework to existing Union non-discrimination law. Through a systematic review of the Act, concentrating on provisions relevant to non-discrimination, the analysis unpacks the Act’s strategy, structured around four key regulatory movements: the invocation of existing non-discrimination frameworks, an emphasis on technical bias detection and data quality criteria, the establishment of an exception to GDPR for processing special categories of data essential for bias correction, and the imposition of transparency and explainability obligations for high-risk Ai systems. Through these movements, the paper assesses the Act’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges of algorithmic proxy discrimination. The central finding is that the Act’s reliance on bias, technical requirements and processes – while necessary for minimising Ai-specific sources of discrimination – inherently limits its role to supporting the broader architecture of EU non-discrimination law, rather than serving as the primary governance mechanism for discrimination
Understanding Low Ecovillage Adoption in Southeast Asia: Insights from Malaysia Using Diffusion of Innovation Theory
No full textThe world is facing multiple intertwined crises, like environmental degradation and socioeconomic inequalities. The impacts of these crises are disproportionately severe in emerging nations, such as those in Southeast Asia. Ecovillages are emerging as a potential solution to the challenges caused by multiple crises; however, their adoption remains relatively low in Southeast Asia, unlike in developed nations. This research aims to understand the barriers that contributed to the low adoption of ecovillages, using the diffusion of innovation theory as a foundation. Data was drawn from a PhD project that carried out 18 semi-structured interviews with emerging ecovillage members, sustainable community developers, eco-farm founders/ members, and ecovillage researchers, taking Malaysia as a case study. Data was analyzed using NVivo software through an inductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed five critical barriers: one) lack of sense of urgency, two) money-oriented economy, three) governmental policy and urbanization, four) lack of awareness and knowledge, and five) socio-economic dynamics that contributed to the low adoption of ecovillages. The theoretical implications add new perspectives to the diffusion of innovation theory by reinforcing that factors such as perceived benefits, alignment with existing values, and visible success remain relevant in the adoption of ecovillages. However, their impact is shaped by external factors, such as governance systems, economic priorities, legal systems, and societal norms, which may support or hinder the adoption of ecovillages. The practical implication is to empower ecovillage practitioners about the barriers that contribute to low ecovillage adoption in Southeast Asia, enabling them to adapt and tailor their ecovillage models to fit the local context
Book Review: Storey, I. (2025). Putin’s Russia and Southeast Asia: The Kremlin’s Pivot to Asia and the Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War.
No full textWomen, Democracy, and the Political in the Writings of Women Intellectuals in Hungary and Yugoslavia between 1945 and 1948
Get PDFThis paper examines the negotiation of women’s rights and democracy in the newly established people’s democracies of Yugoslavia and Hungary in the aftermath of World War II. Focusing on the biographies and activism of women intellectuals who had engaged with both feminism and socialism during the interwar period, the contribution reveals the multiple and often conflicting meanings of democracy in this transformative era. Central to the analysis are figures such as Mariska Gárdos, Mitra Mitrović, Angela Vode, Rosika Schwimmer, and Boris Fái, whose interpretations of democracy placed women’s rights at the centre of their political vision. These women reached divergent – sometimes opposing – conclusions about the potential and pitfalls of people’s democracy for advancing women’s rights and different democratic ideals. The paper analyses their work through a dual theoretical framework: Marxist conceptions of democracy as articulated by Marx, Lenin, and Stalin, and feminist critiques of liberal democracy.This paper examines the negotiation of women’s rights and democracy in the newly established people’s democracies of Yugoslavia and Hungary in the aftermath of World War II. Focusing on the biographies and activism of women intellectuals who had engaged with both feminism and socialism during the interwar period, the contribution reveals the multiple and often conflicting meanings of democracy in this transformative era. Central to the analysis are figures such as Mariska Gárdos, Mitra Mitrović, Angela Vode, Rosika Schwimmer, and Boris Fái, whose interpretations of democracy placed women’s rights at the centre of their political vision. These women reached divergent – sometimes opposing – conclusions about the potential and pitfalls of people’s democracy for advancing women’s rights and different democratic ideals. The paper analyses their work through a dual theoretical framework: Marxist conceptions of democracy as articulated by Marx, Lenin, and Stalin, and feminist critiques of liberal democracy
Comment: Early Modern Social Struggles, Participation, and Rights: A Non-linear Story
Get PDFThis short concluding essay will reflect on the four contributions that focus on the early modern period (generously conceived): Jorun Poettering details some of the social and cultural practices of enslaved Africans in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Rio de Janeiro, Rachel Renault analyses bread riots in the German town of Erfurt in 1771, Erica Heinsen-Roach looks into seventeenth-century efforts toredeem Dutch sailors enslaved in the Mediterranean, and Hannes Ziegler explores the socio-legal practice of ‘common informing’ in (mainly) eighteenth-century England. This short concluding essay will reflect on the four contributions that focus on the early modern period (generously conceived): Jorun Poettering details some of the social and cultural practices of enslaved Africans in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Rio de Janeiro, Rachel Renault analyses bread riots in the German town of Erfurt in 1771, Erica Heinsen-Roach looks into seventeenth-century efforts toredeem Dutch sailors enslaved in the Mediterranean, and Hannes Ziegler explores the socio-legal practice of ‘common informing’ in (mainly) eighteenth-century England. 
Gender) Equality Through Comparison: Redefinitions at the First UN World Conference on Women in Mexico City, 1975
Get PDFThis contribution examines the epistemic practice of comparison in the context of the first UN World Conference on Women in Mexico City in 1975. It adopts an approach that takes simultaneities seriously and uses comparison to relate the respective concepts and objectives regarding development, equality, and emancipation. To this end, it analyses the information materials prepared by experts prior to the conference. These materials presented socio-political, economic, and cultural concepts, discussing ways to improve women’s life chances and achieve greater gender equality. The texts reveal a wide range of ideas about equality, as well as intense reflections on how ideas of equality based on politics, society, the economy, and culture can be reconciled with one another. If we do not focus solely on the conference’s official final documents, which are dominated by highly politicized goals such as ‘peace and development’ and collectives such as ‘family/nation/humanity’, it can be shown that the concepts of ‘emancipation’ and ‘development’ were conceived of differently in 1975 than in a linear, temporal perspective.This contribution examines the epistemic practice of comparison in the context of the first UN World Conference on Women in Mexico City in 1975. It adopts an approach that takes simultaneities seriously and uses comparison to relate the respective concepts and objectives regarding development, equality, and emancipation. To this end, it analyses the information materials prepared by experts prior to the conference. These materials presented socio-political, economic, and cultural concepts, discussing ways to improve women’s life chances and achieve greater gender equality. The texts reveal a wide range of ideas about equality, as well as intense reflections on how ideas of equality based on politics, society, the economy, and culture can be reconciled with one another. If we do not focus solely on the conference’s official final documents, which are dominated by highly politicized goals such as ‘peace and development’ and collectives such as ‘family/nation/humanity’, it can be shown that the concepts of ‘emancipation’ and ‘development’ were conceived of differently in 1975 than in a linear, temporal perspectiv
律宗入網: 明末清初佛教復興的社會網路分析
No full textThe revival of Buddhism during the late Ming and early Qing has long captivated scholarly interest. Recently, a significant methodological advancement has emerged through the application of social network analysis, leveraging the extensive “Historical Social Network of Chinese Buddhism” dataset. This paper seeks to further refine scholarly understanding of this revitalisation by incorporating monks of the Vinaya tradition, largely absent from the original dataset. To achieve this, it proposes an innovative approach that integrates period-specific data from the original dataset with newly collected data. The analysis corroborates scholarly emphasis on the centrality of Chan master Miyun Yuanwu 密雲圓悟 (1567–1642) in the late Ming, employing both degree and betweenness centrality. However, the integration of the Vinaya segment reconfigures the arrange-ment of Chan lineages vis-à-vis the High Qing imperial cluster, providing new perspectives on the early Qing and eighteenth century, particularly emphasising the role of Vinaya monks who served as Mount Baohua (Baohua shan 寶華山) abbots. These findings underscore the significance of the Vinaya tradition through quantitative metrics, enhancing scholarly understanding of the history of the Buddhist community during this period.
近期，明末清初佛教復興研究通過社會網路分析取得了重大突破。本文旨在將律宗僧人納入社會網路分析，為此提出了一種創新方法：將原始資料庫中的特定時期資料與新收集的資料相結合，以分析並驗證學界關於晚明禪師密雲圓悟（1567–1642年）居於核心地位的觀點。然而，在納入律宗資料後，基於盛清帝室群集的網路結構，禪宗法派的網路結構也隨之被重新繪製。這不僅為清初和康乾盛世提供了新的解讀視角，還揭示了律宗重鎮寶華山住持的深遠影響。這些研究結果通過量化分析，突顯了律宗在該時期佛教社群歷史中的重要性，並進一步加深了學界對這一歷史階段的理解。近期，明末清初佛教復興研究通過社會網路分析取得了重大突破。本文旨在將律宗僧人納入社會網路分析，為此提出了一種創新方法：將原始資料庫中的特定時期資料與新收集的資料相結合，以分析並驗證學界關於晚明禪師密雲圓悟（1567–1642年）居於核心地位的觀點。然而，在納入律宗資料後，基於盛清帝室群集的網路結構，禪宗法派的網路結構也隨之被重新繪製。這不僅為清初和康乾盛世提供了新的解讀視角，還揭示了律宗重鎮寶華山住持的深遠影響。這些研究結果通過量化分析，突顯了律宗在該時期佛教社群歷史中的重要性，並進一步加深了學界對這一歷史階段的理解
Introduction: Egyptology in Dialogue
Get PDFThough scholarship broadly acknowledges that understandings of the body are historically situated, such an idea has not yet been appraised in a sustained manner by Egyptology. By drawing on recent archaeological and anthropological theory, this volume recognizes that every society understands the human body in its own way, that the body not only has a history and a culture-specific logic but also that it is relationally contingent. Relations are imperative, be they those foreground relations that are explicitly described in the records between people, bodies of different kinds, and entities inside or outside bodies, or those more diffuse past, present, and future background relations to other bodies, situated contexts, taken-for-granted assumptions and categorisations. Comparisons and negotiations place further emphasis on these relational encounters, between what can be described as spatially and temporally fractal positions, perspectives, and records. Through these concepts, this special issue includes conversations that extend well beyond the discipline, enabling us to engage with Egypt’s rich archaeological record with new methodological awareness. The concern of the different chapters is to question and unsettle what we think we know to create the conditions under which one can see things that one would not otherwise have been able to see. This includes both critique of dominant paradigms and positive formulations of alternatives that further our knowledge about bodies in ancient Egypt but also force us to reflect critically on current assumptions and categorisations
Mehrsprachigkeitsbezogenes Reflektieren in der Migrationsgesellschaft: Vorstellung einer Didaktisierung für das Lehramtsstudium
Get PDFDer Weg zu einer inklusiven, diversitätssensiblen Schule führt über eine kritisch-reflektierende Lehrer:innenbildung. Eine mehrsprachigkeitsbezogene Reflexionskompetenz ist zentral, um als Lehrperson das eigene pädagogische Handeln kritisch zu hinterfragen. Das Projekt merrem zielt darauf ab, mit den hochschuldidaktischen Materialien diese Kompetenz bei Lehramtsstudierenden zu fördern. Durch die intensive migrationspädagogisch-mehrsprachigkeitsbezogene Auseinandersetzung mit (anonymisierten) Fremdbiographien von mehrsprachig und nicht-mehrsprachig aufgewachsenen Lehramtsstudierenden wird ein reflektiver Habitus gefördert, der biographische Erfahrungen, fachliches Wissen und gesellschaftliche Zusammenhänge verbindet. Studierende lernen, Fremdzuschreibungen zu erkennen, Machtverhältnisse zu reflektieren und Inklusion im Schulkontext zu stärken. Dadurch wird eine professionelle Haltung gefördert, die Vielfalt anerkennt und diskriminierungskritisches Handeln im Schulalltag ermöglicht.The path toward an inclusive and diversity-sensitive school system requires a form of teacher education that is both critically reflective and socially aware. A key component of this process is the development of a multilingualism-related reflective competence, which enables (future) teachers to critically examine their own pedagogical practices. The merrem project aims to foster this competence through the use of its higher education teaching materials. At the core of the project is the engagement with anonymized biographical narratives of student teachers who have grown up multilingual or not-multilingual. This engagement is grounded in principles of migration pedagogy and supports the development of a reflective habitus which interweaves personal biographical experience, disciplinary knowledge. Through this process, student teachers learn to recognize external ascriptions, reflect on their entanglement in power relations, and promote inclusion within educational contexts. In turn, the project contributes to the cultivation of a professional ethos that values diversity and enables discrimination-sensitive practices in everyday school life
Active Participation in Dance and Liturgy : A Liturgical Dance Performance as Practice-as-Research
No full textThis article explores the potential of liturgical dance as a form of theological inquiry through the case study OPUS CORPORIS, a choreographic intervention within the Catholic Eucharist. Developed as a practice-as-research project, the performance is analyzed as a hybrid form that reimagines the concept of active participation and challenges conventional boundaries between ritual and performance. Drawing on liturgical theology, performance studies, and contemporary dance, the article first situates the concept within historical developments in church and dance traditions. It then offers a close analysis of the performance, suggesting that it destabilizes normative liturgical scripts and provokes theological reflection – indicating that doubt, disruption, and improvisation are not obstacles to faith, but essential forms of participation. It highlights how such hybrid forms destabilize normative liturgical structures, provoke theological reflection, and invite renewed engagement with the sacred through embodied imagination